American food markets are running short on eggs, and the situation may not improve for months. The highly contagious avian influenza has wreaked havoc on the egg market. In November and December 2024 alone, 17.2 million egg-laying hens died as a result of the virus. That’s nearly half of all birds killed by the virus in 2024, according to the USDA. And it will take months to replace those flocks.
The USDA has spent $1.25 billion compensating farmers for the lost birds to encourage prompt reporting and containment. However, it will take months to replace those flocks, leading to prolonged shortages and higher prices. Consumers have been distracted from this important news, but the impact on the egg market is undeniable.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/egg-industry-chicken-deaths-bird-flu/
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